Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is a renowned Shinto shrine located in Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. In the past, it held the status of a "Nationally Significant Shrine" (Kokuhei Chūsha) and was revered as the guardian deity of the Genji (Minamoto) and Kamakura samurai. It is also known as "Kamakura Hachimangu."
The shrine was originally established in 1063 by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, head of the Genji clan at the time, to express gratitude to the gods for victory in battle. A small shrine was built in the Yuigahama area, which is now called "Yui Wakamiya." Later, in 1180, his son Minamoto no Yoritomo relocated the shrine to its current location after moving his family to Kamakura and expanded the site. Kamakura subsequently became the capital of the Kamakura shogunate (1192–1333), and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu became a spiritual symbol of the shogunate regime. This shift of political power from Kyoto to the east marked the beginning of the shogunate system, which lasted until 1868.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is deeply intertwined with nearly a millennium of Japanese history and culture. Today, the shrine sits in the heart of Kamakura City and is regarded as a symbol of the city by its residents. Visitors enter through a striking red torii gate tunnel that leads directly to the main shrine. On either side of the straight approach to the shrine are two symbolic ponds, representing the Genji clan that founded the shrine and shogunate, and their historical rivals, the Taira (Heike) clan.
In winter and spring, when the peony garden beside the Genji Pond is in full bloom, it opens to the public and draws numerous visitors. Climbing the traditional stone steps leads to the shrine’s main hall. Adjacent to the shrine is a museum that displays valuable artifacts related to its history. Another key structure is the "Maiden" (lower worship hall), where traditional ceremonies combining dance and religious rites are often held.
Every April, a grand festival is held around the shrine, attracting thousands of worshippers and tourists. In September, the shrine hosts the traditional "Yabusame" horseback archery ritual—an event that is equally grand in scale and popularity, and one of the key cultural experiences for those interested in ancient Japanese traditions.
